Looking for a holiday gift idea? Not seeing anything that’s quite right at your local gift card kiosk? Our favorite idea is a gift card from Kiva. You can introduce someone to micro-lending by giving them credit to make a loan. They are great not just for friends and family, but also an amazing gift to send to your business clients.

Kiva Gift Cards range in value from $25 to $10,000. Gift recipients log on to Kiva and select an entrepreneur that they want to fund. After the Kiva Gift Card is used, the lender can monitor and watch for updates about their borrower. Once the loan-term has ended, the amount is returned to your gift recipient where they can make another loan…and another loan…and another loan. It truly is the gift that keeps on giving!

We at HarmonyWishes have been lending at Kiva since December of 2008 and proudly support their efforts to help alleviate global poverty. For more information, click HERE to purchase a Kiva Gift Card today!

And swing on back by to HarmonyWishes after you do for your electronic greeting card needs!

One of the things I like the most about Kiva is their ability to help transform lives through hope, not just money. The concept of micro-credit and its ability to provide a hand up with dignity is a program that HarmonyWishes is proud to support.

This month to celebrate Kiva’s 5th birthday, the Omidyar Network has provided a grant to help spread the word about Kiva. If you, as a lender, get five of your friends to make a loan on Kiva, they will provide a $25 credit to your account – how cool is that! There’s less than a week left to take advantage of this challenge grant, so head on over to Kiva and get started. Here’s a quick link for you: Kiva Challenge

Here’s a great video by Kieran Ball on Kiva and the loan process. Take a look:

Happy Birthday Kiva!

There’s been a lot of press over the last two years about the state of the world economy, and the corporate concept of ‘too big to fail’. I’d like to turn that statement on it’s head and propose that in today’s world, we need to focus on the fact that our critical thinking should address the concept of ‘too small to fail’. In other words, for the most stable and peaceful global economy in the future, we need to provide individuals with the tools to lift themselves out of poverty and to succeed. One of those tools is microfinance.

If you are familiar with some of the microfinance organizations like Kiva, their mission is focused on providing micro loans to adults in developing countries. There is a new movement, which takes it a step further and focuses on the next generation and their college level education – Vittana.

Did you know that in most countries student loans do not exist? Vittana provides the avenue for people like you and me to participate in the student loan process and fill that void. Vittana works in developing countries – Vietnam, Mongolia, Nicaragua, Paraguay and Peru – with local microfinance organizations who develop the selection criteria based on their knowledge of local culture and the job market.

Loans are given to students in their final year of college or those in short term vocational programs to assure the highest rate of success. It’s estimated that by finishing their education, they will improve their income earning potential by 200-300%.

Vittana’s business model is one of student loans, not scholarships. Once the student graduates, they begin a repayment schedule which is outlined on the website along with the profile of the student. As with all microfinance, this is a hand up, not a hand out.

The dignity that comes with the ability to make a living, support yourself and your family is invaluable and a currency that we all need to trade in for our successful future. I hope you will check out Vittana and make a student loan today.  Feel free to join the HarmonyWishes community and be a part of our lending team or create one of your own!

Have you ever wondered how microfinance organizations like Kiva work?  Well, one part is their Fellows program.  It’s an unpaid volunteer position designed to increase Kiva’s impact in the field.  You need to be able to commit a minimum of three months in another country.  It offers a rare opportunity to travel abroad and witness the impact and realities of microfinance.

The latest group of Kiva Fellows has just finished training and are ready to embark on their various assignments in different parts of the world.  They definitely rock in more ways than just musically, but even in that area they are impressive!

If it sounds like something that might be right for you, check out the Kiva site for more details.

It’s no secret that HarmonyWishes has a soft spot for Kiva – the microfinance organization that lends money around the world. We use a portion of our proceeds to make loans to people all around the globe. Here are just a few:

We would love it if you would join our lending team and help us spread good will, good fortune and support to provide a dignified means of lifting people up out of poverty. It’s simply good karma. Just click on our link to find us at Kiva: HarmonyWishes Lending Team